Original SPLENDA® FAQ

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What is SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose)?

SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener, also known as sucralose, is a no calorie sweetener made through a process that starts with regular white sugar. The result is sucralose, an exceptionally stable sweetener with all the taste of sugar, but no calories. Making SPLENDA® Sweetener Products a part of a healthy diet is a great way to reduce the amount of calories you consume from sugar, without compromising the great taste you love.

With less than 5 calories per packet, SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener is a no calorie food.

Is sucralose natural?

No. Although sucralose, the high-intensity no calorie sweetener used in all SPLENDA® Sweetener Products, is made from a process that starts with real sugar, has a similar structure to sugar, and has a sugar-like taste, it is not natural.

In addition to sucralose, SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener Products, like other no calorie sweeteners on the market, also contain common food ingredients called bulking agents. These give the product volume, texture and consistent sweetening.

SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated uses the bulking agent maltodextrin, a common food starch that contributes 1/2 gram of carbohydrate or 2 calories per teaspoon. In SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Packets, sucralose is combined with maltodextrin and dextrose, adding a total of 1 gram of carbohydrate or 4 calories per packet. Both maltodextrin and dextrose provide so few calories per serving (less than five) that SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener Products can be labeled as no calorie sweeteners.

How is SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) made?

SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener is the brand name for the ingredient sucralose. It’s made through a process that converts sugar into a no calorie sweetener. This multi-step process selectively replaces three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sugar molecule with three chlorine atoms. The reaction converts sucrose to sucralose, an exceptionally stable sweetener that tastes like sugar, without the calories.

How does SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) compare to other no calorie sweeteners?

SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) is unique among no calorie sweeteners, with clear benefits. It has a clean, sugar–like taste without the bitter aftertaste of other no calorie sweeteners, such as saccharin and acesulfame–K.8-10And unlike aspartame, sucralose holds up to heat, so it can be used in cooking and baking.10 The great taste and versatility of sucralose have made a wide range of lower–sugar and lower–calorie food and beverage options possible.

If you’re looking to reduce the amount of calories from added sugar in your diet, try SPLENDA® Sweetener Products – the number one brand among low–calorie sweeteners.

Is there a limit to how much SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) I can use?

Because there are no health risks expected with sucralose use, you may consume a variety of products containing SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) to reduce your calorie and carbohydrate intake from sugar every day without concern that you are exceeding a safe intake level.

The term Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is not a threshold for safety. Rather regulators derive this intake level as a way to help describe safety. It represents a daily intake that, if maintained over a lifetime, is 100 times lower than amounts found to be safe in studies designed to detect potential safety risks. FDA defined an ADI for sucralose, of 5 mg/kg body weight. Other important health and regulatory bodies, such as the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of the World Health Organization, the European Union's Scientific Committee on Food and Food Standards, Australia/New Zealand, have set the ADI for sucralose at 15 mg/kg/day.

Is SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) safe?

Yes, SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) is safe, and has been permitted for use by all Canadians, without exception. This includes children, pregnant or nursing women and people with diabetes. SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener has no known side effects. In fact, sucralose has been the subject of extensive safety testing, with more than 110 scientific studies conducted over a 20-year period.1, 5-7 Its safety is well documented and the Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada along with regulatory, health, and food safety authorities from around the world, have concluded that it is safe.

Sucralose has been used throughout the world by millions of people since 1991, and was first approved for use in Canada as a non-nutritive sweetener in 1991. Currently, sucralose is approved for use in over 80 countries, including use in over 4,000 products, and it has never been required to carry any safety information or warning statements on its labeling.

SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) contains chlorine. Is that safe?

Yes, sucralose is safe to use by everyone. Chlorine is a natural part of salt, and it’s found in many foods, like lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, melons, and peanut butter. It’s also a part of the more complex molecules found in things like lentils, peas, and potatoes. It’s even added to most public drinking water supplies. Chlorine is a part of everyday life.

Sucralose is not sugar, but it is made by starting with sugar and selectively adding chlorine, resulting in a great-tasting no-calorie sweetener. The addition of chlorine is what makes sucralose calorie-free. It also makes it very stable – so it can be used in cooking and baking without losing sweetness. In the case of SPLENDA® Brand a large amount of research shows that sucralose can be used safely by everyone and that there is no cause for concern about safety because of chlorine.

What happens to SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) after it’s ingested?

Although SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) is made from a process that begins with sugar, the body does not recognize it as sugar or as a carbohydrate. After it’s ingested, the large majority of it (about 85%) is not metabolized for energy and simply passes through the body unchanged in the stool. Of the small amount that is absorbed, most of it leaves the body unchanged in the urine within 24 hours.

No. SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) has no known side effects, including any that affect the stomach. 1, 5-7However, some lower-calorie foods, such as sugar-free ice cream, contain sugar alcohols in addition to sucralose. Sugar alcohols (such as mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, and maltitol) are sometimes a cause of stomach upset or gastrointestinal problems in sensitive individuals, if too much is eaten. If you think you are sensitive to sugar alcohols, or other particular food ingredients, the product label with its ingredient listing can help you choose foods that are better suited to your needs.

Does sucralose cause headaches/migraines?

No, research does not support that SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) causes migraines or headaches. There are no adverse effects expected with sucralose, and it’s not known to produce changes in the body that are associated with headaches or migraines. For example, sucralose has no known effects on vasodilation (opening of blood vessels), blood pressure, or on the nervous system. Studies also show that sucralose has no effect on blood glucose or insulin levels.

Does sucralose affect the liver or kidneys?

No. SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) has no known side effects, including any involving the liver or kidneys. More than 20 years of research and over 110 scientific studies confirm the safety of sucralose.1, 5-7 Research shows that when consumed, most sucralose is largely unabsorbed and simply passes out of the body in the stool. The small amount that is absorbed also passes harmlessly out of the body through the urine within 24 hours.

Can pregnant and nursing women use SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose)?

Yes. SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) is suitable for use by everyone, including pregnant and nursing women. All FDA and Health Canada required studies to support the safety of sucralose during pregnancy or nursing were performed. As a result, the FDA, Health Canada and other international health and regulatory agencies have concluded that sucralose is suitable for everyone, including pregnant and nursing women.

SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener may be used as part of a healthy prenatal and postnatal diet to help reduce excess calories from added sugars. Of course, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should always talk with their doctor about their nutritional and caloric needs to optimize not only their health, but also their baby’s.

Can children use SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose)?

Yes. SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener can be used by everyone including children of all ages. The long-term safety of sucralose has been well established and was investigated following research standards set by health and food safety authorities from around the world. Over 110 scientific studies in animals and humans were conducted to assess the safety of sucralose. These studies showed no adverse effects of sucralose in amounts that, for the average person, are equivalent in sweetness to consuming over 40 pounds of sugar per day for a lifetime. These studies collectively demonstrated no evidence of a health risk with sucralose consumption for any segment of the population including children.

SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener is a great way to replace higher-calorie treats that might also be lower in important vitamins and minerals. It may also help encourage your children to eat healthier foods—try using SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener on fruit for a sweetness that matches your child’s tastes.

SPLENDA® Sweetener Products are very versatile. You can use them to bake some of your child’s favourite special-occasion treats like cookies and cake, but with less added sugar, and you can even use them in beverages, on hot and cold cereals, and with whole grains.

If you have questions about your child’s diet or nutritional needs, please check with your child’s doctor or a registered dietitian.

Can people with diabetes use SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose)?

Yes, SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener is great for people with diabetes. Even though SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener starts with sugar, it goes through a process that changes it into a no calorie sweetener called sucralose. The result is a sweetener that tastes like sugar, without calories. And, like sugar, it stays sweet even when it’s used in cooking and baking.

Clinical studies have shown that sucralose does not affect blood glucose levels, insulin, or HbA1c.1–3 It’s important to note that like other no calorie sweeteners on the market, the SPLENDA® granulated and packet products contain small amounts of carbs(less than 1 gram per serving) that provide needed volume and texture. People with diabetes simply need to carb count if more than 4 packets or more than 8 teaspoons of SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated are consumed at one time. SPLENDA® Sweetener Products allow people with diabetes to enjoy sweetness and sweet foods, with less added sugar, in their meal plans.

For more information on SPLENDA® Sweetener Products and diabetes, please click here.

Are there any known interactions with medications and SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose)?

No. There are no known interactions with medications and SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose). Except for providing sweetness, SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener is essentially an inactive ingredient. Everyone, including people on one or more medications, can enjoy SPLENDA®.

What is the role of SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener in a healthy diet?

SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener may be used as part of a healthy diet that includes a variety of nutritious foods in moderate portions. Because SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener tastes like sugar and can be used for cooking and baking, it helps you enjoy great-tasting foods and beverages without all the added sugar.

How can SPLENDA® Sweetener Products help with weight management?

Using SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener is a great way to decrease your caloric intake from sugar, without sacrificing the great taste you love. For every 2 teaspoons of sugar you replace with SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, you save over 25 calories. Even just replacing one 355 mL can of soda sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup with a beverage sweetened with SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener can save you about 140 calories! Using SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener along with regular physical activity can be a great way to help with weight management.

Can SPLENDA® Sweetener Products help with weight management for children?

Yes. SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener can be a part of healthy weight management for children. It’s a great way to reduce the calories from added sugars that your child eats daily, without sacrificing the great taste your children love. In fact, a 2007 study published in the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics demonstrated that by making two simple changes daily—reducing caloric intake by 100 calories per day (with an emphasis on using SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener) and increasing activity levels by 2000 steps per day—families can help overweight children slow their rate of weight gain.4

Using SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener, instead of sugar, is a great way to replace higher-calorie treats that might also be lower in important vitamins and minerals. It may also help encourage your children to eat healthier foods—try using SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener on fruit for a sweetness that matches your child’s tastes.

If you have questions about your child’s diet or nutritional needs, please check with your child’s doctor or a registered dietitian.

Will SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) cause me to gain weight?

No. SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) does not cause weight gain. In fact, it can help decrease caloric intake when used in place of sugar. The use of SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener to help decrease caloric intake, along with regular physical activity, may even help with weight management.

SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener is a great way to help reduce calorie, carbohydrate, and sugar intake—without sacrificing taste.

Both SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated and SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend contain sucralose, the no calorie sweetener that starts with sugar, tastes like sugar, but is not sugar.

SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend gets its sweetness from a unique combination of sucralose and brown sugar. This gives baked goods all of the rich flavour, moisture and texture of brown sugar. Compared to brown sugar, SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend is twice as sweet, so you only need half as much and as a result you only get half the calories. SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend can be used anywhere brown sugar is used, from traditional recipes that require brown sugar to sprinkling on hot cereal.

SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated contains no sugar or brown sugar, and it gets its sweetness purely from sucralose. It also contains maltodextrin, a bulking agent that provides volume, making it easy to use and measure. Because SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated contains no sugar or brown sugar, it does not have all the functional properties that white and brown sugar provide, some of which are important and desirable for certain baked goods. SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated works best in recipes where sugar mainly plays a sweetening role.

Another difference is that SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated measures cup-for-cup like sugar, whereas a 1/2 cup (125 ml) of SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend is equal to the sweetness of a full cup (250 ml) of brown sugar.

No, SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend is not natural. It’s a sweetening option that combines real brown sugar and sucralose. Because SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend is twice as sweet as brown sugar, you can use half as much and get the same amount of sweetness with half the calories.

Because SPLENDA® Brand Sweetener (sucralose) is about 600 times sweeter than sugar, SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend contains more brown sugar than sucralose by weight. However, half of the sweetness of SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend comes from brown sugar and half from sucralose.

Do SPLENDA® Sweetener Products expire?

All SPLENDA® Sweetener Products are shelf stable so they don’t have an expiration date. Keep in mind, just like regular white and brown sugar, SPLENDA® Sweetener Products should always be stored in a cool, dry place.